Disinfecting mat for cleaning shoes

ABSTRACT

A disinfecting mat that enables better cleaning of shoes of a person through multi-functional capabilities. The mat has three discrete sections, with each section carrying out a different function in cleaning the shoes. A first section has a laterally extending bristle brush for cleaning material from the shoes while the second section includes a reservoir containing a liquid disinfectant that is transferred to the shoe of the user by an endless belt that dips into the reservoir and carries the disinfectant to the upper surface of the belt to be transferred to the shoes. Finally, in a third section there is a stationary wiping mat to enable the user to brush the shoes across the mat to rid the shoe of remaining material as well as dry the shoe from the liquid disinfectant. All of the sections are convenient to the user and housed within a unitary molded base.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a floor mat for use in cleaning the shoes of a person, and, more particularly, to a multifunctional disinfecting floor mat that both cleans and disinfects the shoes of a person.

[0002] There are, of course, a wide variety of floor mats intended for the use of cleaning the shoes of an individual and which can be located in an equally wide variety of differing locations where such cleaning is desirable.

[0003] A difficulty, however, with most mats that are commercially available today, is that they are directed toward a single function, that is, the mat is generally a normal wiping mat that enables the user to simply apply the shoe to the mat with a rubbing or scuffing motion to the shoe to wipe the dirt and other material from the shoe. With such single function mats, the shoe does not get particularly clean and there is no way to include some disinfecting function to rid the shoe of potentially harmful materials that can then be spread to other areas, such as the inside of the home or automobile of the person.

[0004] In addition, with the typical conventional floor mat, there is only one consistency of the wiping mat bristles, and, therefore, if there is a large, well adhered material on the shoe, there is a likelihood that it will not be fully removed from the shoe and, again, can travel to other locations where that material can become dislodged and be harmful or simply cause damage to other areas, including the living quarters of that person.

[0005] Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a multi-function floor mat that not only carries out the function of wiping the shoe but would also have a disinfecting function and further have differing sizes and function bristles so that the shoe can be better cleaned and disinfected after treatment of the shoe by the particular floor mat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Accordingly, the present invention relates to a disinfecting floor mat that has a base having a plurality of sections, preferably three of such sections with each section being partitioned from the others and with each section providing a differing function with respect to the overall cleaning of a shoe and yet without imposing any additional labor or inconvenience on the part of the individual.

[0007] With the present invention, the base rests upon the floor or other planar surface and the base is preferably constructed of a strong, water proof material such as hard rubber. The base can be generally rectangular in configuration and has an upstanding peripheral edge surrounding the base, that is, there is a front edge, a rear edge and two lateral side edges.

[0008] Within the interior surface area of the base, there are partitions that divide that interior surface into three discrete sections. In the preferred embodiment there is a lateral partition that is near the front edge of the base and is oriented generally parallel to that front edge and extends between the two lateral side edges of the base, thereby forming a first section at or proximate to the front edge of the interior surface of the base. A second or transverse partition is generally orthogonal to the lateral partition and extends from the lateral partition to the rear edge of the base, thereby dividing the rearward area of the interior of the interior surface of the base into a second and a third sections. It is preferred that the transverse partition be located approximately at the midpoint between the lateral side edges so that the second and third sections are about the same dimensions or area.

[0009] Each of the sections has a different function in carrying out the cleaning of the shoes of a user. In the first section, there is provided a laterally extending, substantially stationary bristle brush having relatively large outward extending radial bristles. The bristle brush is mounted just above the lower surface of the first section such that when the user places the shoe on the bristle brush with some downward pressure, the bristle brush can move slightly vertically downwardly to contact the bottom surface of the first section to prevent the bristle brush from rotating. When, on the other hand, there is no pressure applied to the bristle brush, it can be freely rotatable by the hand of the user to rotate the bristle brush as needed to move the bristles to a new location so that the worn bristles can be rotated out of the way and a new bristle area moved into the operative position.

[0010] In the second section, there is a reservoir formed to contain a quantity of a liquid and also includes a continuous belt that is support by a plurality of support rollers rotatably affixed within the second section. The belt has an upper surface that can be contacted by the user's shoe so that the liquid can be transferred to the shoe. By use of the support rollers supporting the belt, the belt can rotate such that a lower surface is always immersed in the liquid where the belt can be at least partially saturated by the liquid and then further rotated to become an upper surface where the liquid picked up by the belt material can be transferred to the shoe of the user. The belt is preferable constructed of a fabric type of material, such as an indoor-outdoor carpet material that can become at least partially saturated by the liquid. Preferably the liquid is a commercially available disinfectant.

[0011] In the third section, there is provided a flat wiping mat, generally of conventional construction with bristles extending upwardly, to be brushed by the shoe to remove material from the shoe including liquid remaining on the shoe from the encounter with the disinfectant laden belt in the second section.

[0012] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent during the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the disinfecting mat of the present invention constructed in accordance with the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a front view of the disinfecting mat of FIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the disinfecting mat taken along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the disinfecting mat of the present invention; and

[0017]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the present disinfecting mat showing its construction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a top, plan view of the disinfecting mat 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention. As can be seen, the disinfecting mat 10 comprises a base 12 that is preferably a one piece construction made of a hard rubber, although other material can be used that is structurally strong and which is capable of retaining a liquid.

[0019] The base 12 has a peripheral edge that surrounds an interior surface and the edge includes a front edge 14, a rear edge 16 and two lateral side edges 18. There are also interior partitions that separate the interior of the base 12 into a plurality of sections. As shown, there is a lateral partition 20 that extends across the base 12 laterally and is oriented generally parallel to the front edge 14 to form a first section 22 that is generally located proximate to the front edge 14 and extends at least substantially, and preferably, fully across the base 12 between the lateral side edges 18.

[0020] A second or transverse partition 24 extends from the lateral partition 20 and extends to the rear edge 16, thereby forming a second section 26 and a third section 28. In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the transverse partition 24 is located approximately at the midpoint between the lateral side edges 18 so that the second and third sections 26 and 28 are of the basic same dimensions or area.

[0021] As such, the separate sections all provide differing functions that contribute to carrying out the cleaning and disinfecting of a shoe, that is, in the first section 22 there is a substantially stationary bristle brush 30 having a main longitudinal axis with external ends 32 extending therefrom and which are rotatably affixed to the first section 22 in a manner that will be later explained. The main longitudinal axis of the bristle brush 30 is sufficiently flexible so as to allow the bristle brush 30 to move vertically by means of the downward force created by a person placing a shoe on the bristle brush 30 to clean that shoe. When, therefore, the person is using the bristle brush 30 and exerts that downward force, the bristle brush is positioned such that the downward vertical movement causes the bristle brush 30 to encounter the bottom surface of the first section 22 and hold the brush in a stationary, non-rotating position.

[0022] On the other hand, when there is no force applied to the bristle brush 30, it can be rotated by hand so that the user can move the location of the uppermost bristles to another location about the periphery of the bristle brush 30. As such, when the user is applying the shoe to the bristle brush 30 to clean material off of the shoe, the bristle brush 30 encounters the bottom surface of the first section 22 and remains stationary so that the shoe can be cleaned, but when the force is relieved, the user can simply rotate the bristle brush 30 to move any worn out bristles to a new position, thus renewing the effectiveness of the bristle brush 30 as desired when certain of the bristles become worn through use. As also can be seen, the bristle brush 30 has a longitudinal axis oriented generally parallel to the front edge 14 and extends at least substantially across the entire first section 22, and preferable fully across the first section 22.

[0023] In the second section, a different cleaning function is provided and, as shown in FIG. 1, there is a movable belt 34 that forms a continuous moving upper surface 36 and, again, the purpose of the moving belt will be later explained.

[0024] Next, in the third section 28 there is a stationary wiping mat 38 that is of a fairly conventional design and construction similar to many floor mats having upstanding bristles to wipe the bottom of the shoes of an individual. As can be seen, the stationary wiping mat 38 occupies at least substantially all of the area of the third section 28 and, preferably, essentially all of that area.

[0025] Turning now to FIG. 2, there is shown a front view of the disinfecting mat 10 of the present invention and showing the front edge 14 to illustrating the general elevation of the front edge 14 that is, of course, typical of the raised edges and elevation of the other edges making up the periphery or the disinfecting mat 10 as well as the elevation of the partitions.

[0026] Turning next to FIG. 3, there is shown a cross sectional view of the disinfecting mat 10 take along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 2. In FIG. 3, there can be seen, a plurality of support rollers 40 that are mounted in the second section 26 so as to support and allow the continual movement of the moving belt 34. There can also be seen the bristle brush 30 and illustrating its close proximity to the bottom surface of the first section 22. With the function of the support rollers 40 and the moving belt 34, the second section 26 is, as stated, comprised of a waterproof material such that a reservoir 42 is formed in the second section 26.

[0027] Thus, a quantity of a liquid can be introduced into and remain in the second section 26 so that the moving belt 34 has a lower surface that is always immersed in the liquid and, as the moving belt 34 travels over the support rollers 40, the wetted surface become the upper surface 36 of the moving belt 34 so that the user can place the shoe atop of the upper surface 36 and transfer the liquid from the moving belt 34 on to the shoes.

[0028] Accordingly, the liquid contained within the reservoir 42 can be a conventional disinfecting agent and that liquid is continuously brought to the upper surface 36 of the moving belt 34 by the continuous movement of the moving belt 34 as it is moved by the action of the user contacting the upper surface 36 and moving the shoe along that upper surface to cause the moving belt 34 to move.

[0029] Turning now to FIG. 4, there is a perspective view of the disinfecting mat 10 of the present invention in its completed form and illustrating the layout of the various sections, that is, the first, second and third sections 22, 26 and 28 that are conveniently located such that the user can initially utilize the bristle brush 30 to rid the shoe of certain material and then move the shoe across the movable belt 34 to move the belt 34 to transfer the liquid disinfectant onto the shoe and, finally, brushing the shoe over the stationary wiping mat 38 to remove additional material as well as to dry the shoe of the liquid disinfectant.

[0030] Finally, turning to FIG. 5, there is an exploded view of the disinfecting mat 10 of the present invention and showing its preferred construction. Accordingly, as can be seen in FIG. 5, there are a plurality of oppositely disposed notches 44 formed along the sides of the second section 26 to enable the second section 26 to mount the support rollers 40 to allow those support rollers 40 to freely roll.

[0031] The support rollers 40 may have longitudinal axles having pins 46 extending axially outwardly therefrom and the pins 46 can therefore simply be set down into the notches 44 to seat the support rollers 40 into the second section 26. As also can be seen in FIG. 5, the reservoir 42 is formed in the lower area of the second section 26 to contain the liquid for transfer to the moving belt 34 and which surrounds the support rollers 40 for movement.

[0032] In a similar manner, the external ends 32 of the bristle brush 30 can be fitted into notches 48 formed in the lateral ends of the first section 22 so that the bristle brush 30 is also mounted in the notches 48 of the first section 22. The stationary wiping mat 38 is simply placed into the third section 38 and can be therefore readily replaced when it wears down and loses its effectiveness.

[0033] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous adaptations and modifications which can be made to the disinfecting mat of the present invention which will result in an improved device, yet all of which will fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined in the following claims. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and their equivalents. 

I claim:
 1. A disinfecting mat for cleaning shoes, said mat comprising: a base having front edge, a rear edge and lateral side edges, a first section formed in said base, said first section located proximate the front edge of said base, said first section containing a substantially stationary bristle brush, extending laterally at least substantially across the base, a second section, said second section containing a sanitizing liquid and a belt movable within the sanitizing liquid to transfer a portion of the liquid to an upper surface of the belt where the liquid can be transferred to a shoe positioned on the upper surface of the belt, and a third section having a stationary wiping mat located therein.
 2. A disinfecting mat as defined in claim 1 wherein said substantially stationary bristle brush is vertically movable between an upper position where the roller can be rotated and a lower position where the roller contacts said base to be stationary with respect to said base.
 3. A disinfecting mat as defined in claim 2 wherein said substantially stationary bristle brush is movable from said upper position to said lower position by the weight of a person stepping on said stationary brush.
 4. A disinfecting mat as defined in claim 1 wherein said substantially stationary bristle brush is oriented generally parallel to the front edge and extends at least substantial across said base between said side lateral edges.
 5. A disinfecting mat as defined in claim 1 wherein said stationary wiping mat comprises a mat having upwardly directed bristles.
 6. A disinfecting mat as defined in claim 1 wherein said second section comprises a plurality of support rollers rotatably affixed therein and said belt surrounds and is supported by said support rollers.
 7. A disinfecting mat as defined in claim 6 wherein said belt is comprised of a fabric material that at least partially absorbs the liquid.
 8. A disinfecting mat as defined in claim 1 wherein said base is comprised of hard rubber.
 9. A disinfecting mat for cleaning shoes, said mat comprising: a base having front edge, a rear edge and lateral side edges, a first section formed in said base, said first section located proximate the front edge of said base, said first section containing a substantially stationary bristle brush, extending laterally at least substantially across the base, and a second section, said second section containing a sanitizing liquid and a belt immersed within the sanitizing liquid to transfer a portion of the liquid to an upper surface of the belt where the liquid can be transferred to a shoe positioned on the upper surface of the belt.
 10. A disinfecting mat as defined in claim 9 wherein said belt has a lower portion adapted to be located beneath the sanitizing liquid and an upper surface that is located above the liquid.
 11. A disinfecting mat as defined in claim 9 wherein said belt is supported by a plurality of support rollers.
 12. A disinfecting mat as defined in claim 9 wherein said substantially stationary bristle brush is vertically movable between an upper position where the roller can be rotated and a lower position where the roller contacts said base to be stationary with respect to said base.
 13. A disinfecting mat as defined in claim 12 wherein said substantially stationary bristle brush is movable from said upper position to said lower position by the weight of a person stepping on said stationary brush.
 14. A disinfecting mat as defined in claim 9 wherein said base is comprised of hard rubber. 